Don't have an account?

Favorite Schools

Favorite Teams

Massachusetts lawmakers to weigh hike in minimum wage

theresemurray.jpg

Massachusetts Senate President Therese Murray takes questions from reporters before going back into a session in the Senate Chamber at the Statehouse, in Boston, late Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011.
(AP Photo/Steven Senne)

BOSTON (AP) — A large turnout is expected for a Statehouse hearing that will consider legislation to raise the minimum wage.

The state's minimum wage has been at $8 an hour since 2008 and is not adjusted automatically for inflation.

Proponents of a change got a boost in April when Senate President Therese Murray signaled in a speech to business leaders that it was time for a discussion about the minimum wage, though she did not offer a specific plan.

Among the bills to be considered by a legislative committee on Tuesday is a proposal from Sen. Marc Pacheco, a Taunton Democrat, that would gradually raise the minimum wage to $11 an hour over a three-year period and tie future increases to inflation.

Labor leaders, clergy and economists are among those expected to testify at the hearing.